• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission Minutes of Public Hearing and Regular Meeting October 18, 2011 The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission held a public hearing and regular meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., in the second floor conference room of the Horsemen’s Office, located on the grounds of Delaware Park, 777 Delaware Park Boulevard, Wilmington, Delaware 19804. The following Commission members were present: Bernard J. Daney, Chairman W. Duncan Patterson, Jr., Secretary/Commissioner Debbie Killeen, Commissioner Edward J. Stegemeier, Commissioner Henry James Decker, Commissioner The following individuals also were present: Ed Kee, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Andrew Kerber, Esq., Deputy Attorney General, Commission Counsel John F. Wayne, DTRC, Executive Director Vincent Bailey, Wilcox & Fetzer, Court Reporter Robert E. Colton, Delaware Jockeys Association, Director Bessie Gruwell, DTHA Executive Director G. Jack Houghton, Jr., DTRC, Chief State Steward Madeline Locke, Owner/Trainer, DTHA President John E. Mooney, Delaware Park, Executive Director of Racing Ron Moquett, Trainer, DTHA Board Member Nancy Myshko, Delaware Park, Senior Vice President Shelley Perkins, DTRC, Paralegal I (recording minutes) John T. Peters, D.V.M., DTRC, Chief Veterinarian Kathleen Picciano, D.V.M., DTRC, Associate Veterinarian Francis J. Swift, Jr., DTRC, Inspector Paul Trapani, Owner/Trainer, DTHA Board Member Michael Vild, Esq., Delaware Park, Sr. Vice President of Racing/General Counsel 1. WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER At 10:00 a.m., Chairman Daney called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the September 20, 2011 meeting were reviewed and approved as submitted. 3. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business brought up at the meeting. 4. PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Kerber explained the procedure for handling a Stewards ruling that was referred to the Commission. The Stewards by rule found that it was proper for them to refer one aspect of the ruling regarding the alleged possession of an electrical device. The matter before the the Commission was ruling against SYLVESTER CARMOUCHE III. The hearing was opened by Mr. Kerber. Deputy Attorney General, Barbara Gadbois presented on behalf of the Stewards. Carmouche appeared without counsel. Mr. Kerber asked Mr. Carmouche that he understood that he could be represented by counsel, but declined to do so and was willing to proceed with the hearing. Ms. Gadbois made an opening statement and presented the case before the Commission. Verbatim testimony was taken by the court reporter. Following testimony and evidence presented, the Commission ruled that they would not take any further disciplinary action in the matter involving SYLVESTER CARMOUCHE III. Mr. CARMOUCHE’s ruling suspending him for one-year is affirmed. Following the hearing, Mr. CARMOUCHE was escorted from Delaware Park property as he was under an eviction order by management. Following the public hearing, Mr. Daney excused himself from the meeting to take a conference and appointed Duncan Patterson to Chair the meeting until his return. 5 NEW BUSINESS Update of Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, ARCI Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committee Commissioner Patterson gave an update on both groups about opinions on both sides regarding Medication criteria during 2012. The proposed ban on race day medication by regulatory jurisdictions was discussed. Mr. Wayne added that there may be movement that during 2012 that only regulatory vets will administer Salix. Commissioner Patterson continued the discussion about regulatory vets doing Salix administration. Mr. Wayne suggested that the DTRC hire a veterinarian service like they have in place at Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway. Any costs of administration would be a deduction from the horsemen’s account. This would eliminate the hiring of additional regulatory vets by the commission and having to stock sufficient supply of Salix and equipment. The Service would be responsible for staffing and supplies. There was a continuation of the discussion regarding this topic from various attendees. Dr. Peters volunteered that he was very familiar with the practice in place at Harrington and Dover Downs and endorsed by Executive Director Wayne related as a possible solution. Mr. Mooney reported that there would be additional expense to implement this program regarding security. 6. REPORT FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A. Summary of Activities Report Executive Director John F. Wayne reported the activities of the DTRC during the month of September, 2011. Licensing statistics through September 30, 2011 were: Number of persons fingerprinted ………………………….…99 Total amount of fingerprint fees collected ……….…$6.320.00 DTRC Licenses issued ………………………………….…5,311 Amount of fines collected …………………………..$12,080.00 License fees collected …………………………….$188,085.00 The 6 page report was provided to the Commissioners for their review. 7. REPORT FROM CHIEF COMMISSION VETERINARIAN A. Veterinary Health Statistical Report Dr. John T. Peters, Chief Commission Veterinarian presented the monthly injury statistical report for the period through September, 2011. Dr. Peters explained the injuries and ailments that made the report. Commissioner Decker asked about the trend of racing injuries. Dr. Peters explained The data further indicating that there were a greater number of fatalities this year and could be higher percentage due to the lesser amount of horses racing. Dr. Peters added in his opinion the fatalities are not attributed to any one factor. The quality of animal may less than in previous years, but that in some cases, owner/trainers could have saved some of the horses, but chose not to. 8. REPORT FROM DELAWARE THOROUGHBRED HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION D. Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program (DCTP) Executive Director, Bessie Gruwell submitted the DCTP report with the following updates: Number of Starters ………………….372 Number of Starts ……………………1045 Winners …… …………125 2nd Place finishers …. .148 Third place finishers… 133 20% DCTP Earnings & Certifier Awards - $578,858.86 each respectively Total Annual Awards as of 10-1-11: $1,157,717.72 Total DCTP Applications to date: 2,736 2011 DCTP Horses of Racing Age: 2.501 Two year olds – 453 Three year olds – 476 Four year olds – 373 Older horses – 1,199 Ms. Gruwell had some questions regarding the racing surface and indicated that she had a meeting with John Mooney about the racing surface. Commissioner Patterson asked about the Delaware Certified Stakes that were run and that he was dismayed that the handle was down. Ms. Gruwell indicated that Keeneland is now running. Mr. Mooney added that it is a typical trend when October comes that racing at Delaware Park Is affected. With the opening of Keeneland (Lexington, Kentucky) and their magnificent turf course, Belmont, Woodbine and other venues holding their championship races, a lot of good horses and big name trainers opt to ship out early. Good horses and full fields attract horse bettors/players. 9. PUBLIC COMMENT Acting Chair, Patterson asked Mr. Mooney to continue his discussion and comments in regards to the racing surface. Mr. Mooney stated that he was well aware that injuries have been above the average. Delaware Park has used Joe King and Associates out of New York, a highly regarded track consultant company. Joe King came to Delaware Park personally and spent the day with himself and Ken Brown, Track Superintendent. Mr. King took samples of the track surface for analysis and was present while the track surface received some heavy rain. Test samples were taken while the track was sloppy, good, and then fast. The resulting analysis was reported that samples came back with a “high-rating.” Mr. Mooney continued that they are looking at different ways to handle the racing surface and equipment that could be used. Mr. King suggested and they expected that they will add quite a bit of silt which they lost during the hurricane Irene. They are going to have two breaks each day to condition the track and add moisture. Mr. King also suggested that they raise the silt content by 3.5%. above what it currently is. They have been examining the hoof prints and that surface has very good resiliency. After the meet closes, they are going to scrape the cushion from the surface and examine the limestone base. They will add approximately 600 tons of material to improve resiliency. We will not know how effective this will be until next summer. Overall, Mr. King gave the racing surface a very high rating. Mr. Mooney reminded everyone that they do nuclear testing every year and send samples at least once per month to Mr. King for examination. Mr. Mooney concluded that there are some trainers that complain while others compliment the racing surface. Commissioner Decker asked what the condition of the training track was. Mr. Mooney reported that it sustained extensive damage and washouts during the hurricane. He hopes to have the training track back in action by next year. Commissioner Stegemeier asked Bessie Gruwell about winter stabling and their numbers. Ms. Gruwell thought that there was over 250 stall requests for horses. Mr. Mooney confirmed this number, but added that the Racing Association was not looking to incur any expenses on maintaining the stable area during the off season. 10. EXECUTIVE SESSION 12:03 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Decker to go into executive session which was seconded by Commissioner Killeen. 11 ADJOURN Meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m. For Immediate Release: Contact Anne Fitzgerald October 17, 2011 800.282.8685 (DE only) 302.698.4520 Number of pages: 2 302.242.4092 (Cell) “HAVRE de GRACE” and owner, Rick Porter honored at Delaware Park Delaware Certified Thoroughbred Program has produced another winner HAVRE de GRACE winning the OBEAH STAKES at Delaware Park with Jockey, Gabriel Saez On October 15, 2011, Rick Porter’s outstanding filly, “HAVRE de GRACE” was honored with a proclamation from Governor Jack Markell noting October 15 th as “HAVRE de GRACE” day in Delaware.

Load more

  7

Copy Link